Navigating the Language of Aviation: A Guide to Key Terms

How Translation Supports Travel Industry Solutions

The airline industry, a crucial component of the broader travel industry, operates in a highly specialized environment where precision and clarity are essential.

From coordinating global flights to ensuring passenger safety, every aspect of the industry is driven by specific terminology and airline industry jargon that needs to be understood and accurately translated across multiple languages.

Companies like VEQTA, which specialize in travel industry translation, play a pivotal role in facilitating clear communication within the airline sector.

Let’s explore some of the key terms used within the airline industry and how translation supports travel industry solutions by ensuring effective communication across borders.

Learn more about the array of languages that VEQTA offers and best translation methodology.

Translation is vital to the success of the travel industry, including the airline sector. Accurate translation isn’t just about converting words from one language to another; it involves understanding the context, protocols, and nuances that define the industry’s language.

Whether it’s translating safety manuals, in-flight announcements, or digital marketing for the travel industry, the goal is to maintain consistency, clarity, and compliance with international regulations. This ensures that passengers, crew members, including cabin crew, and stakeholders are all on the same page, regardless of their language, ultimately enhancing the travel experience for all.

Read more about VEQTA’s collaboration with AirAsia in a localization case study for the Airline industry.

So let’s check out some of the specific terms used in the airline industry and by cabin crew members:

Airline and Cabin Crew Industry Jargon

• • Pax (Passengers)

‘Pax’ is shorthand for passengers. This term is frequently used in internal communications to refer to the number of people on board. For example, “We have 150 pax on this flight.” In travel industry translation, it’s important to keep this term consistent across languages while ensuring that any associated metrics, like payload, are accurately conveyed.

• • INAD/DEPU/DEPA (Inadmissible Passengers and Deportees)

These terms are used to describe passengers with specific legal or visa issues. INAD stands for inadmissible passengers, DEPU refers to deportees who are unaccompanied, and DEPA refers to deportees who are in lawful custody. Given the sensitive nature of these terms, it’s essential that translations are both precise and respectful, maintaining the correct legal context.

• • PRM (Passenger with Reduced Mobility)

PRM is a term used to identify passengers who require additional assistance, such as those needing wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Translations must be clear and considerate, ensuring that passengers understand their rights and the assistance available to them.

• • SOP (Standard Operating Procedures)

SOPs are detailed protocols that airline staff follow to ensure safety and consistency in service. These can range from how to secure the cabin for takeoff to the specific ways drinks should be served. SOPs must be translated with absolute precision to ensure that all staff, regardless of language, adhere to the same standards.

• • Cross-Check

Cross-check refers to the process where flight attendants verify that emergency exits are correctly armed or disarmed. It’s a critical safety procedure before takeoff and after landing. This term must be translated accurately, as it directly impacts passenger safety and the crew’s ability to respond in emergencies.

• • Bulkhead

A bulkhead is a dividing wall or partition within the aircraft, often separating different classes or sections. Bulkhead seats are known for having extra legroom. When translating terms related to seating and cabin layout, it’s important to retain the specific terminology to avoid confusion for passengers.

• • Deadhead

This term describes a crew member traveling as a passenger to a different location to start their duty. It’s a common practice in the industry. While translating, it’s essential to retain the industry jargon to maintain authenticity and clarity within internal communications.

• • Air Pocket

An air pocket is a term used to describe a sudden drop in altitude due to turbulence. It’s often announced to prepare passengers for potential discomfort.

Clear and accurate translation is necessary to ensure that passengers understand the situation without causing unnecessary alarm. These are naturally just a few examples of the industry jargon used for instance by cabin crew members.

In the airline industry, precise communication as well as technical terminology is essential for safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Translating the specific terminology and airline industry jargon used within the industry requires a deep understanding of both the language and the context in which these terms are used.

As part of the broader travel industry translation services, VEQTA ensures that its translations for the airline industry are accurate, contextually appropriate, and consistent with international standards. This level of precision in translation supports travel industry solutions by enabling airlines to operate smoothly and effectively across global markets.

Additionally, accurate translation plays a critical role in digital marketing for the travel industry, ensuring that messaging resonates with a global audience, thereby enhancing the travel experience for passengers worldwide.